Carrier coupler for containers



June 23, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed D60. 21, 1955 S m m T. H mm mm J U 7 mm 4 A... 2 v. 8

" -Aeu June 23, 1959 wzlss CARRIER COUPLER FOR CONTAINERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed D00. 21, 1955 INVENTOR.

ADOLPH WEISS ATTORNEYS June 23, 1959 -A, E.s 9 2,891,665

CARRIER COUPLER FOR CONTAINERS 1 Mia/ '12;

INVENTOR.

ADOL PH WEISS ATTORNEYS United States Patent fiie 2,891,665 Patented June 2 3, 1959 CARRIER COUPLER FOR CONTAINERS Adolph Weiss, Brooklyn, N.Y., assignor to American Can fompany, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New ersey Application December 21, 1955, Serial No. 554,484

Claims. (Cl. 206-65) The present invention relates to new and useful couplers for milk cartons or containers. More particularly, this invention relates to new and useful carriers adaptable to couple two individual milk cartons or containers into a unitary package.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my application Serial Number 323,545 filed in the United States Patent Ofiice December 2, 1952 for Container Coupler, now Patent No. 2,849,110.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel means suitable for coupling a pair of milk cartons or containers into a unitary package convenient for handling and readily divided into individual units by the consumer for use.

Another object is the provision of such a carrier coupler which can be made from low cost materials in the form of a substantially continuous web or strip which is particularly adapted for use in automatic coupler making machines.

Another object is the provision of such a carrier coupler which is readily applied to the containers, either manually or mechanically in an inexpensive assembly operation.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent as it is better understood from the following describtion, which, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a milk carton for which this invention is intended;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view illustrating one form of my coupler in its completed form;

Fig. 3 is a reduced scale plan view of a fragmentary portion of a strip of material prepared to provide a blank from which the coupler shown in Fig. 2 is produc Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 3, showing prepared portions of the blank in a different position incidental to the formation of the coupler shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken substantially along the line 5,.5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged. plan view of the blank severed from the strip shown in Fig. 3 with portions of the blank folded over as an advanced stage in the construction of the coupler shown in Fig. 2, a portion of the blank beingtorn back to illustrate adhesive applied to the, underside;

Fig. 7 is an elevational View taken substantially along a plane indicated .by the line 7 7 in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is. a view similar to Fig. 6 showing the blank folded back on itself as, a further advanced stage in the construction of the coupler shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9. is an elevational view taken substantially along a plane indicated by the line 9.--9 in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 10.-.-10. in Fig. .8;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged sectional view of the coupler shown in Fig. 2 as applied to a pair of cartons or containers for carrying as a unitary package, the lower portions of the cartons or containers being broken away;

Fig. 12 is a reduced scale plan view similar to Fig. 3. showing a modified form of blank;

Figs. 13 and 14 are plan views of the blank shown in Fig. 12 and illustrating diiferent stages. in converting the blank into a modified form of coupler; and i Fig. 15 is a plan view of the modified coupler formed from the bank shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14. i i

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention the drawings illustrate a carrying device, carrier, or coupler A (Fig. 2) for tying together and carrying a pair of fibre milk containers B (Fig. 1') disposed in juxtaposed relation as a unitary package. as shown in Fig. 11. The containers B preferably are of the character disclosed in United States Patent 2,085,- 979 issued July 6, 1937, to John M. Hothersall on Container.

Such a container comprises a rectangular body having flat side walls E which at their upper ends are formed with necked-in portions F and an immediately adjacent outwardly or laterally projecting peripheral end seam or ledge G surrounding and securing a flat top member H in place on the body. In the juxtaposed relation of the containers B, two side walls E are directly opposite each other in substantially contiguous relation as shown in Fig. 11. The portions of the ledges G for these side walls extend transversely of the package and are substantially coincident.

The carrier or coupler A comprises a vertically disposed double wall or layer flat handle 21 (Fig. 2) to be positioned between the transverse coincident portions of the container ledges G and a pair of laterally extending rectangular loops or frames 22, 23 defined by flat vertically disposed double wall bands formed integrally with the handle 21 on opposite sides thereof for engagement over and around the containers B to tie the containers together in a unitary package. Support of the containers B in the frames 22, 23 preferably is effected by triangular shaped projections 24 formed in the frame defining bands for engagement beneath the ledges G and within the necked-in portions F of the juxtaposed containers as best shown in Fig. 11.

The carrier A preferably is made from a one-piece fiat blank 26 (Fig. 3) of fibre material which may be readily severed from a substantially continuous strip or web 27 of such material to facilitate manufacture of the carrier. The blank 26, in general, is of elongated rectangular shape and is of a length substantially equal to four and one half or five times the width of a side E of a container B so as to completely surround one container with a lap-over portion remaining.

The handle 21 and the integral parts from which the frames 22, 23 and the triangular projections 24 are constructed preferably are defined and formed in the web 27 before the blank 26 is severed therefrom. For this purpose the web 27 is initially formed with a longitudinal slit 28 (Fig. 3) and tWo transverse slits 29, 30 disposed at the terminal ends of the longitudinal slit 28. The longitudinal slit 28 extends along the middle of the web and thus divides the web into two long frame members or bands 32, 3? from which the frames 22, 23 are subsequently formed.

The transverse slits 29, 30 extend only partially across the web. The slit 29 defines one end of the blank 26. The other slit .30 is disposed in spaced relation to the opposite end of the blank 26 by a distance substantially equal to the width of one of the contiguous sides E of a container B and thus sets off between the slit 30 and the adjacent end of the blank, an uncut portion 35 from which the handle 21 is subsequently constructed.

The handle portion 35 is provided with a score or crease line 36 which is a continuation of the longitudinal slit 28 to provide for subsequently folding this portion back on itself to produce the handle 21. In a similar manner the frame members 32, 33 are provided with spaced parallel pairs of transverse score or crease lines 38, the pairs being spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the Width of a side E of a container B and along which the frame members are subsequently bent at right angles to set off straight-sided panels 39, 46 of the frames for surrounding the containers. These transverse crease lines 38 set off three full length panels 39 and a short end panel 40 disposed at the terminal ends (at the left in Fig. 3) of the frame members for overlapping engagement with the handle 21 as will be hereinafter more fully explained.

Each of the frame panels 39 including the short panels 40 potentially contain one of the triangular projections 24 for supporting the juxtaposed containers B. These projections are defined between rectangular openings 4-2 which extend longitudinally along the middle of the frame members 32, 33 and across the panel crease lines 33 for a short distance on each side of the crease lines as shown in Fig. 3. Between the openings 42 the blank is provided with continuing spaced and parallel crease lines 43, 44 which define a flat top 45 for the projections. At the ends of the openings 42 the blank is provided with short continuing slits 46 which extend inwardly toward the middle longitudinal slit 28 for a distance substantially equal to one half of the width of the frame members from their crease lines 44 to the longitudinal slit 28. This completes the defining slits and crease lines in the blank 26.

Preferably before severing the blank 26 from the web 27, the frame member portions of the blank between the longitudinal slit 28 and the longitudinal crease lines 43 are folded upwardly and outwardly along the crease lines 43 to fold the frame members 32, 33 longitudinally in half to position the folded portions against and on top of the unfolded portions as shown in Fig. 4. This gives the frame members a double layer band construction. In effecting this folding operation, the inner edges of the frame members adjacent the slit line 28 are aligned longitudinally with the outer edges of the blank. This alignment of the edges automatically bends the frame member portions between the openings 42, along the crease lines 44 and thus causes the portions between the crease lines 43, 44 to project out into a position normal to the folded frame members 32, 33 to form the triangular projections 24, the portions between the crease lines 43, 44 producing the fiat top 45 of the projections as shown in Fig. and the integral portions between the transverse slits 46 producing an inclined or sloping brace wall 47. While in this position the two layers of each of the now double walled frame members or bands 32, 33 are permanently secured together, preferably by a suit able adhesive interposed between the layers to unite the layers and to retain the triangular projections 24 in fixed relation to the members.

In this condition the blank 26 is severed from the web 27 by cutting along the transverse slit 29. The resulting blank 26 is a U-shaped element having the rectangular handle portion 35 at one end and the two double walled frame members 32, 33 extending laterally from one transverse edge thereof, and with the short panels 4% at the free ends of the frame members.

Upon severance of the blank 26 from the web 27, the short panels 40 of the frame members 32. 33 are bent upwardly along their adjacent transverse crease lines 38 and folded back against and in overlapping relation with the adjacent full size panel 39. The frame members 32, 33 are then bent upwardly along the first transverse crease line 38 (at the right in Fig. 4) from the handle portion 35 and are folded down against the handle portion and the al first adjacent panel 39 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. This locates the exposed face of the short panels 40 in contiguous overlapping relation with the face of the handle portion 35 adjacent the terminal end (at the right in Fig. 6) of the blank. Both short panels 40 are against the same face of the handle portion 35. While in this position the exposed faces of the short panels 40 are permanently secured to the handle portion 35 by a suitable adhesive interposed between the handle portion and the exposed faces of the short panels. This secures the free ends of the frame members 32, 33 to the handle portion 35 and results in a blank of the shape shown in Fig. 6.

Following the securing of the ends of the frame members 32, 33 to the handle portion 35, the handle portion itself is folded in half along its longitudinal crease line 36 and the resulting two layer formation is permanently united by a suitable adhesive interposed between the layers. This produces the double layer handle 21 with the still flat folded frame members 32, 33 disposed on the outer opposite faces of the handle as best shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 10.

Upon opening the fiat folded frame members 32, 33 there results the completed carrier or coupler A as shown in Fig. 2 with the two adjacently disposed loops or frames 22, 23 defined by the panels 39, 4t) in the double layer frame members or hands 32, 33, the handle 21 disposed between and extending above them, and in each panel 39, 4% a fixed substantially rigid triangular projection 24 having a fiat horizontal top wall 45 preferably located coincident with the top edges of the panels and held in place by an inclined or sloping integral brace wall 47 (Fig. 2).

Such a carrier A may be readily slipped over the tops of a pair of juxtaposed containers B and pushed down into place to lock the triangular projections 24 under the ledges G adjacent the necked-in portions F of the containers as best shown in Fig. 11 to fully support the containers when lifted and carried by the handle 21. In this preferred form of the invention, the triangular projections 24 have been included in each panel 39 and the short panels 41 adjacent the handle 21 to support the containers. However, if desired such a carrier may be produced with the projections 24 in only the short panels 44) adjacent the handle or the projections may be provided in only the outer panels 39 opposite the handle 21 or in any other combination which elfectively supports the containers While maintaining a low cost construction of the carrier.

It should be noted in the form of carrier shown in Fig. 2, the two projections 24 in the short panels 40 disposed on opposite sides of the handle 21 extend across the handle for substantially half of its length and are located adjacent the same edge of the handle. These projections 24 may be made longer, with an increase in material cost, by providing longer panels 40 at the free ends of the frame members 32, 33. In this manner, the projections 24 may be located at or near the middle of the handle 21 if desired. However, in a modified form of the invention as disclosed in Figs. l2, l3, l4 and 15, the free ends of the carrier members are arranged to be secured to the handle 21 adjacent opposite edges thereof so as to stagger the short panels 4-0 and the projections 24 therein without increased material costs.

In this modified form of the invention a Z-shaped blank 51 (Fig. 12) is severed from the web 27 by cutting the web medially along a pair of endwise spaced lines of severance 52, 53 and at the terminal ends of these lines slitting the web transversely along angularly disposed lines of severance 54, 55. The severance of such a blank 51 from the web 27 provides a keystone shaped handle portion 58 with a longitudinal frame member or band 59 formed integrally with and extending from one edge (at the left in Fig. 12) of the handle portion at its widest section and a similar longitudinal frame member or band 60 formed integrally with and extending in an opposite direction of T m i ,i Mi 7 M ler L in y l the opposite edge (at the right in Fig. 12) of the handle portion at its narrowest section.

In the web 27, the frame member 59 of one blank 51 is disposed adjacent the frame member 60 of an adjacent blank 51 so that the blanks may be severed from the web without waste.

The angular transverse slits 54 extend into the frame member 59 for substantially half the width of the member and terminate adjacent a pair of longitudinal crease lines 62, 63 provided in the blank for the same purpose as the crease lines 43, 44 in the preferred form of the invention, so as to define the flat tops 45 of the triangular projections 24. In a similar manner the slits 55 extend into the frame member 60 for substantially half the width of the member and terminate adjacent a pair of longitudinal crease lines 65, 66 to provide for the flat tops 45 of the triangular projections 24 in this member.

Like the preferred form of the invention, the frame members 59, 60 are provided with pairs of transverse crease lines 68 along which the members are bent to set off the full length panels 39 and the short end panels 40 at the free ends of the members. Openings 69 similar to the openings 42, and disposed between the crease lines 62, 63 in member 59 and between the crease lines 65, 66 in member 60, and having end slits 71 extending toward the medial lines of severance 52, 53, are provided to define the triangular projections 24 in the frame members 59, 60 as in the frame members 32, 33 of the preferred form.

After severance of a blank 51 from the web 27 the portions of the frame members 59, 60 adjacent the lines of severance 52, 53 are bent upwardly along the longitudinal crease lines 62, 63, 65, 66 and folded over against and on top of the adjacent portions of the members as shown in Fig. 13 to produce double layer members and to form the triangular projections 24 as in the preferred form. The layers of the members 59, 60 are permanently secured together with a suitable adhesive interposed between the layers. In the resulting blank as illustrated in Fig. 13 it should be noted that the projections 24 are on corresponding faces of the frame members, i.e. on the top faces as viewed in the Figure.

Following this, the handle portion 58 is folded in half along a medial longitudinal crease line 74 as shown in Fig. 14, to produce the double layer handle 21 as in the preferred form. The layers are permanently secured together by a suitable adhesive interposed between the layers. This folding of the handle portion 58 locates the frame members 59, 60 in endwise alignment as shown in Fig. 14 and also reverses the face from which the projections 24 extend in frame member 64). As a result of this folding operation the handle 21 is provided with integral frame members 59, 60 extending in opposite directions from opposite edges of the handle and triangular projections 24 formed in the upper edges of the frame members and extending in one lateral direction in one member and in an opposite lateral direction in the other member.

With the blank 51 in the condition shown in Fig. 14, the frame member 59 is bent upwardly along its transverse crease lines 68 to locate the under face of its short panel 40 against and extending along the handle 21 at its opposite edge (at the right in Fig. 14) so as to locate the projection 24 of this panel adjacent one face of the handle all this opposite edge as shown in Fig. 15. In a similar manner the frame member 60 as viewed in Fig. 14 is bent downwardly along its transverse crease lines 68 to locate the upper face of its short panel 40 against and extending along the opposite face of the handle at its opposite edge to locate the projection 24 of this panel adjacent this opposite face of the handle and at the edge opposite the projection 24 of the frame member 59 as shown in Fig. 15 These faces of the short panels 40 of the frame members 59, 60 are permanently secured by a suitable adhesive to the handle 21.

Hence as a result of this reverse bending of the two frame members 59, 60 relative to the integral handle 21, the two loops or frames 22, 23 are produced on opposite sides of the handle and all of the triangular projections 24 extend inwardly from the frame members and the handle as in the preferred form of the invention, but, the projections 24 adjacent the handle are located at opposite edges of the handle as shown in Fig. 15 to distribute the carrying load of the containers along the full length of the handle.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the form hereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

1 claim:

1. A unitary carrying package comprising a pair of juxtaposed rectangular cartons having laterally projecting peripheral ledges, an upstanding carrying handle disposed between said cartons, and a plurality of reenforced flexible tie members of folded double wall thickness throughout comprising overlapping face to face outer and inner walls formed integrally with and extending from said handle and terminating in free ends, each of said flexible tie members individually embracing the four sides of one of said cartons beneath its peripheral ledge with its free terminal end extending along and secured to said handle to tie said embraced pair of cartons to said handle for carrying said package, said integral tie members including the portions adjacent their free terminal ends, being provided with integral hollow carton supporting projections of triangular cross section located at spaced intervals for engagement beneath said ledges on all sides of said cartons including the contiguous sides thereof adjacent said handle.

2. A carrier of the character defined in claim 1 wherein said hollow carton supporting projections adjacent said free terminal ends of said tie members are secured to said handle for engagement beneath said ledges on two contiguous sides of said cartons.

3. A carrier of the character defined in claim 1, wherein each of said projections comprises a top wall integral with and projecting inwardly from a said tie member and an inclined wall integral with said top wall and extending downwardly and secured to said tie member.

4. A carrier of the character defined in claim 1, wherein each of said projections includes a flat top wall section projecting inwardly from said outer wall and integral therewith and a sloping brace wall section extending from the inner edge of said flat top wall section and terminating in and integrally with said inner wall.

5. A carrier of the character defined in claim 4 wherein each of said tie members is longitudinally folded on itself with the fold extending along the top edge of the member to provide said outer and inner walls and wherein said inner wall adjacent said folded top edge is provided with longitudinal openings at spaced intervals along said tie member to provide said container supporting projections between said openings integral with said outer and inner tie member walls and projecting inwardly from said inner wall thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 24,333 Poupitch June 25, 1957 2,693,385 Cavalli et al Nov. 2, 1954 2,694,596 Greenlaw et al Nov. 16, 1954 2,696,400 Reyna et al. Dec. 7, 1954 2,696,401 Church et al. Dec. 7, 1954 2,711,922 Batkin June 28, 1955 2,713,508 Austin July 19, 1955 2,730,291 Reeser Jan. 10, 1956 

